What is the clinical relevance of erosions and joint space narrowing in RA?
Summary of "What is the clinical relevance of erosions and joint space narrowing in RA?"
The association between joint damage and disability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially in the later stages of disease, is a main reason why radiographic joint damage is a common and valid outcome measure in RA clinical trials. Most studies have assessed the effect of global joint damage, which has limited our knowledge regarding the individual effects of erosions and cartilage damage on physical function. However, recent data have indicated that joint space narrowing is more closely related to functional status than erosions. Modern imaging techniques that provide improved assessment of the cartilage itself, instead of only joint space narrowing, might help disentangle the separate associations of erosive bone damage and cartilage damage with physical function in patients with RA. The aim of this article is to discuss the current knowledge within this field and the clinical consequences thereof.
Affiliation
Department of Rheumatology, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, PO Box 23 Vinderen, 0319 Oslo, Norway.
Journal Details
This article was published in the following journal.
Name: Nature reviews. Rheumatology
ISSN: 1759-4804
Pages:
Links
- PubMed Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22249163
- DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2011.202
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Pneumocephalus
Presence of air or gas within the intracranial cavity (e.g., epidural space, subdural space, intracerebral, etc.) which may result from traumatic injuries, fistulous tract formation, erosions of the skull from NEOPLASMS or infection, NEUROSURGICAL PROCEDURES, and other conditions.
Joint Capsule Release
Surgical procedure to relax the JOINT CAPSULE tissues in a joint that has a reduced range of motion due to CONTRACTURE or TISSUE ADHESIONS or joint deformities.
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Lack of stability of a joint or joint prosthesis. Factors involved are intra-articular disease and integrity of extra-articular structures such as joint capsule, ligaments, and muscles.
Laryngostenosis
Developmental or acquired stricture or narrowing of the LARYNX. Symptoms of respiratory difficulty depend on the degree of laryngeal narrowing.
Temporomandibular Joint Disk
A plate of fibrous tissue that divides the temporomandibular joint into an upper and lower cavity. The disk is attached to the articular capsule and moves forward with the condyle in free opening and protrusion. (Boucher's Clinical Dental Terminology, 4th ed, p92)
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